What are Hallucinogens?
What is the general term used in this lesson for drugs commonly known as psychedelics?
Hallucinogens.
What is the common street name for LSD?
Acid.
What are two common street names for MDMA?
Molly and Ecstasy.
What is the common nickname for ketamine?
Special K.
What is the safest way to completely avoid harm from drugs?
Not using them at all.
What are hallucinogens known to significantly alter in a person?
Mood, perception, thought processes, and self-awareness.
How is LSD most commonly taken?
Orally (liquid drops or blotter paper absorbed on the tongue).
Is MDMA classified as a stimulant, a hallucinogen, or both?
Both (stimulant and psychedelic).
What type of drug is ketamine medically classified as?
A dissociative anesthetic.
Why is mixing hallucinogens with substances like alcohol or cannabis risky?
It increases unpredictability and potential harm.
What two environmental or psychological factors influence how hallucinogens affect someone?
Set and setting (mindset and environment).
How long can an LSD trip last?
Up to 12 hours.
How long after taking MDMA do effects typically begin, and how long can they last?
Effects can begin around 45 minutes after use and last 4–6 hours.
Name one serious physical risk associated with ketamine misuse.
Kidney damage, slowed breathing, elevated blood pressure, or heart issues. Overuse of Ketamine can also cause bladder control issues. (peeing your pants)
What is a “sober sitter”?
A sober person who stays present to monitor and help someone using hallucinogens.
Why are hallucinogens difficult to classify?
Because their effects vary widely between individuals and can be unpredictable.
How long after ingestion do psilocybin mushrooms typically begin to take effect, and how long can they last?
Effects begin within about 20 minutes and can last up to 6 hours.
What dangerous overheating condition can MDMA cause?
Hyperthermia.
Which plant-based hallucinogen comes from the cactus species Lophophora williamsii?
Bonus 100 points: Where on the planet can this plant be found?
Peyote.
Bonus: Southern United States and Mexico. Indigenous cultures have been using this drug for over 5000 years in cultural practices.
Why is drinking water especially important when using MDMA?
Because it can cause dehydration and overheating.
What does the term “contraindication” mean in relation to psychedelic treatment?
bonus 100 points: What psychedelic substance has been FDA approved to treat medication resistant depression?
A pre-existing condition that may disqualify someone from treatment due to potential risks.
Bonus: Ketamine
What psychological symptoms can occur during a psilocybin experience that affect perception of reality?
Bonus 100 points: What mental health condition can hallucinogens mimic?
Time distortion, difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy, abnormal thoughts and speech, seeing moving objects.
Bonus: They mimic schizophrenia due to the excess of serotonin in the brain.
Why do people often experience a severe “comedown” after using MDMA?
Because it causes an overproduction of neurotransmitters like dopamine, leading to depletion afterward.
Which plant-based psychedelic is traditionally used in ceremonial contexts and is used by native peoples in the Amazon rainforest in South America?
Ayahuasca. Natural form of DMT
Why is it especially dangerous for someone with a history of anxiety, depression, or psychosis to use hallucinogens without medical supervision?
Because hallucinogens can intensify underlying mental health symptoms, potentially triggering panic, paranoia, or psychotic episodes, especially without professional support or a controlled setting.